Adjustable pilot chair



1953 J. c. WHITTINGHAM ETAL 2,655,981

ADJUSTABLE PILOT CHAIR Filed June 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l a 34a $233M 723 INVENTOR.

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Oct- 0, 1953 J. c. WHITTINGHAM EI'AL 2,655,981

ADJUSTABLE PILOT CHAIR Filed June 16, 1950 2 s t s 2 H 62 lllll. o

A ram/n5 Patented Oct. 20,1953

UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE PILOT CHAIR John C. Whittingham and Proctor W. Nichols, Colorado Springs, 0010.

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable chairs for use in aircraft, locomotive engines, busses, passenger coaches, or other places wherein adjustable chairs are desired.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a chair which may be readily adjusted to conform with the most comfortable and optimum seating position of the user.

Another object is to provide an improved chair having an angularly adjustable seat and back rest mounted on a vertically adjustable seat and back rest carrier, the carrier being supported by a horizontally adjustable frame.

Another object is to interconnect the seat and back rest in a manner such that one moves through a predetermined angle in response to movement of the other.

Further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from a consideration of the description to follow, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the chair which forms the subject of the invention, portions being broken away to show certain internal parts;

Figure 2 is a top plan view to reduced scale of the seat component, the cushion being removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 33, Figure 4, portions being broken away;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-6, Figure 3, portions being broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail as viewed in the direction of arrow 5, Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6,

Figure 5;

Figure '7 is an enlarged section taken on line I-'I, Figure 1, a portion being broken away; and

Figure 8 is a detail as viewed in the direction of arrow 8, Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, and particularly Figure 1, the chair is designated in its entirety by reference numeral II], the principal components thereof being a frame I I, a seat and back rest carrier I2, a seat I3, and a back rest I4.

Frame II comprises a pair of general triangular parallel spaced side plates I5, I5a connected together at their rear vertical edges by a transverse plate I6, connection being eifected by welding, rivets or any well-known fastening means. A bifurcated bracket H (see Figures 5 and 6) is riveted to plate I6 at each lower corner thereof, each bracket carrying pins I8, I9, the ends of which support rollers 20, 2I which are disposed on opposite sides of the web 22 of an I beam rail 23 having upper and lower flanges 24, 25, respectively. An identical construction is employed for engaging the other I beam 23a. A similar constructicn is employed at the lower front corners of side plates I5, I5a, the roller carrying brackets 26, 26a being secured to plates 21, Zia, respectively, welded to the side plates. The rollers carried by these brackets similarly engage I beam rails I23, l23a. A torque shaft 28 extends between the side plates, being journaled in the latter at its ends, and has secured thereto arms 29, 29a. As shown for one side in Figures 1 and '7, arm 29a is connected to a latch pin 3%, slideable in block am, by a link 3211 pivotally connected at its ends to the top of the latch pin and end of the arm. An identical construction is employed at the left end of shaft 28 in Figure 1. A lever 33 is connected to the shaft and a plurality of tapered apertures 34, 3 30. are provided in the top faces of the rails into which the tapered ends of pins 39, 30a engage. A spring 35 retains the ins in the apertures in the rails, and when it is desired to adjust the frame along the rails, lever 33 is actuated, releasing the latch pins, the entire chair bodily moved to a desired position, and the lever released to permit the latch pins to again enter the apertures. Pairs of vertically extending parallel spaced guide rails 3t, 31' and 36a, 3111 are secured to side plates I5, I5a, respectively, on their inside surfaces, adjacent the intersection of the side plates and cross plate as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The front guides 31, 31a, are provided with a plurality of spaced tapered apertures 38, 3811, respectively, in the front surfaces thereof which serve a purpose to be subsequently described.

The carrier I2, previously referred to, comprises a pair of plates 40, 400/. secured together in parallel spaced relation by an upper spacer tube M and a lower spacer tube 42, the tubes being welded or otherwise secured to the plates. The left ends of tubes Al, 42, as viewed in Figure l, carry rollers 43, 44, respectively, and the right ends carry identical rollers, the lower one of which is shown at 44a. in Figure 4. These rollers engage between the vertical guide rails, previously described, and permit the carrier I2 to be adjusted vertically relative to frame I I. Latch pin supporting brackets 45, 45a are secured to side plates 40, 40a, respectively, which slideably receive latch pins 46, 46a, respectively, which selectively engage apertures 38, 33a, respectively, in the forward vertical guide rails. A torque shaft 47 extends between the side plates, and is journaled therein, which has afiixed thereto at the left and (Figure 1) a lever 48 having an arm 49 thereon which is operatively connected to latch pin 46 by a link 50. The other end of torque shaft 41 has amxed thereto an arm @901, which is connected to latch pin 46a by a link Sea. A spring l, as shown in Figure 1, has its lower end secured to plate at and its upper end to plate It to urge the former upwardly, an identical spring (not shown) being employed at the other side of the chair. A spring 52 urges latch pins 46, 46a. into engagement with apertures 38, 38a, respectively. The spring 5! and the corresponding spring on the opposite side of the chair are so tensioned that when the user removes his weight, or a portion thereof, from seat I3, the carrier 12 will automatically move upwardly after the latch pins have been released, and when a desired position is reached the pilot releases lever 48 to latch the carrier 52 to the frame H.

The seat [3 comprises a pair of seat supporting arms '60, 60a which are pivoted at their rear ends to plates 40, 49a, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, and the upper portion of Figure 4, a pivot pin BI is shown to effect this connection, it being understood that an identical pin is employed on the other arm, but which is not shown in the lower portion of Figure 4 since arm tea and its associated pivot pin are broken away to show the lower tube 42. The seat supporting arms are secured together by and support a seat cushion frame 62 comprising a bottom 63, front wall 6 3, side walls 65, 65a, and a rear wall 85. The rear wall is braced to the arms by a gusset brace 5?, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. The cushion frame receives any suitable padded cushion S3.

The side frames 60, 60a are provided with apertured lugs 69, 69a, respectively, which serve a purpose to be subsequently described.

The back rest I4 comprises side frames 18, Eda secured together in spaced parallel relation by a sheet metal back plate I! which is channel shaped, the side flanges of the channel being riveted or otherwise secured to the side frames. A torque shaft 12 extends between .plates 49, iila and the lower ends of frames 16, 78a are pivoted for movement about the axis of this torque shaft. As shown in Figure 4, a suitable flanged bushing 13 is secured to plate 40 by nut M, the inner end of the bushing providing a pivot for frame 10. An identical bushing 13a is provided on the other side of the chair, and these bushings rotatably support torque shaft 12. One end of torque shaft 12 has afiixed thereto a lever 75 and the torque shaft also has awed thereto a pair of arms 76, lea. Quadrants 71, Ha are afiixed, respectively, to plates 40, 40a, these quadrants having spaced tapered holes 18 therein similar to those employed with the other latch pins described. These quadrants are approximately 25-30 degrees long, but the one seen in Figure 3 is broken away slightly at its lower end. Latch pins 79, 79a are slideably supported by ears 88, 80a, afiixed, respectively, to frames 10, a. The latch pins have a'ihxed thereto, respectively, arms 8!, Ma the lower ends of which are connected to arms T6, 16a by links 82, 820a. Springs 83, 83a urge the latch pins into engagement with the tapered holes in the quadrants. Links 8d, 84a are pivotally connected at their upper ends by pivot pins 85, 85a (see Figures 1, 3 and 8) to frames 70, 70a, respectively, and at their lower ends to lugs 69, 69a by pivot pins 86, 86a, respectively. It will be apparent that when lever is actuated to release :latch pins 79, 19a, back rest 14 may swing about the axis of shaft :12, and

the seat [3 may swing about the axis of pivot pin SI, the relative angular movements of the seat and back rest being under control of links 34, 84a. In the construction shown, the relationship of the various pivotal axes are such that when the back rest It swings through 20, about the axis of shaft 12, seat l3 swings through 6 about the axis of pivot pin 6|. The seat back rest is provided with any suitable padded cushion 81. Arm rest 88a (see Figures 1 and 8) is pivoted on pin a and is provided with a notch 89a which engages a pin 90a. The arm rest may be raised to the dotted line position, as shown in Figure 8, to render the seat more accessible. It is also apparent that while an arm rest has been shown on only one side of the chair, a similar arm rest may be employed on the other side thereof. A pair of straps 9|, 9la are secured at their lower ends to side frames 60, 60a, respectively, and the upper ends are apertured, as shown, to receive suitable fittings (not shown) on the ends of a safety belt.

In an operative embodiment of the invention the distance between centers of 6! and '86 is 12% inches; between 36 and 85, 12% inches; between 72 and 85, 8% inches; with El and 8t lying on:a horizontal line 72 is 2 inches there-above and 7 inches to the left (Figure B) of a vertical line through @i. With these specific distances, ordistances in the same proportions, the relative angular movements of the seat and back, previously specified, will be attained. Considering the last named dimension of 2 inches as .unity the respective foregoing distances would be in the proportions of approximately 4.94 unity, 5.05 unity, 8,35 unity, and 2.80 unity. It is to be understood, however, that if it be desired to vary the relative angular movements of the seat and back from those specified, the foregoing proportions may be varied :as desired.

It will be observed that the upper ends of 3B, 3? and 36a, 37a are open, which renders the chair ideally adapted for use with an expulsion device when employed .in aircraft. When so employed, any suitable expulsion means, such as a cylinder and piston therein, :may be disposed .beneath the carrier [2 at a desired position. When the pilot operates the piston, such as by a gun powder discharge in the cylinder, the piston may engage the carrier and bodily blow it, the seat, the back rest, and the pilot upwardly out of the aircraft, after which, of course, he releases the chair-components to which he is attached and descends by parachute to the ground.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new is:

1. An adjustable chair, comprising; a seat and back rest carrier, a seat pivotally connected at its rear end to said carrier, a back rest connected to said carrier at its lower end by a pivotal connection, the pivotal connection being disposed between vertical planes that bound the front and rear ends of said seat, linkage means interconnecting said seat and back rest adapted to angularly move one in response to angular movement of the other, and means for selectively securing the seat and back rest to the carrier at .a desired position of adjustment relative thereto.

2. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein a predetermined angular movement of said back rest imparts about one-third of such angular movement to sai'd'seat through said linkage means.

3. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein a 20 angular movement of said back rest imparts 6 of angular movement to said seat through said linkage means.

4. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back rest is pivotally connected to said carrier above said seat.

5. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises a link pivotally connected at its upper end to said back rest, between the ends of the latter, and pivotally connected at its lower end to said seat between the pivotal connection of the back rest to the carrier and the forward end of said seat.

6. A chair in accordance with claim 5 wherein said back rest is pivotally connected to said oarrier above said seat.

7. A chair in accordance with claim 1 including a frame adapted to be secured to a support, and means connecting said carrier to said frame and embodying mechanism for vertical adjustment of the carrier.

8. A seat in accordance with claim 7 including resilient means for urging said carrier vertiwhy.

9. A chair in accordance with claim 1 including a frame, means adapted to movably support said frame for horizontal movement relative to a support, and means for connecting said carrier to said frame.

10. A seat in accordance with claim 9 wherein the last mentioned means embodies mechanism supporting said carrier for vertical adjustment relative to said frame.

11. An adjustable chair comprising, a chair support, a frame horizontally movable relative to the support, means for selectively securing said frame to the support at a desired position of horizontal adjustment, 'a seat and back rest carrier vertically movable relative to said frame, means for selectively securing said carrier to said frame at a desired position of vertical adjustment, a seat pivotally connected at its rear end to said carrier, a back rest connected to said carrier at its lower end by a pivotal connection, the pivotal connection being disposed between vertical planes that bound the front and rear ends of said seat, linkage means interconnecting said seat and back rest adapted to angularly move one in response to angular movement of the other, and means for selectively securing the seat and back rest to the carrier at a desired position of adjustment.

12. A chair in accordance with claim 11 wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced plates having vertical guide means on each plate, and means on said carrier engageable with said guide means for constraining said carrier to said vertical movement.

13. A chair in accordance with claim 12 wherein said guide means comprises pairs of guide rails on each plate, and the means on the carrier comprises spaced rollers engageable between the rails.

14. A chair in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means for securing said carrier to the frame comprises at least one latch pin engageable selectively in one of spaced apertures in at least one of said guide rails.

15. A chair in accordance with claim 11 wherein said last named means comprises an apertured quadrant member secured to the carrier and a latch pin carried by the back rest engageable in the apertures of the quadrant member.

16. An adjustable chair, comprising; a seat and back rest carrier, a seat pivotally connected at its rear end to said carrier, at a first axis, a back rest pivotally connected to said carrier at its lower end at a second axis at a higher level than the first axis, a link pivotally connected at its upper end to the back rest at a third axis above the second axis, and at its lower end to the seat at a fourth axis, the second and third axes being in vertical planes between those that contain the first and fourth axes, the distance between the second axis and a horizontal line extending between the first and fourth axes being a unit distance, the distance between the first and fourth axes being approximately 4.94 times the unit distance, the distance between the second and third axes being approximately 3.35 times the unit distance, the distance between the third and fourth axes being approximately 5.05 times the unit distance, and the horizontal distance between a pair of vertical planes through the first axis and the second axis being approximately 2.80 times the unit distance, whereby 20 degrees movement of the back rest about the second axis imparts substantially 6 degrees movement of the seat about the first axis.

17. In an adjustable chair, a seat and back rest carrier comprising a pair of spaced plates, a substantially horizontal seat having spaced side members, each being pivotally connected at its rear end about a common axis to one of the plates, a back rest comprising upwardly ranging spaced members, each being pivotally connected at its lower end about a common axis to one of the plates, the last named axis being above the first named axis and between the ends of the seat, and a pair of downwardly and forwardly ranging links, each being pivotally connected about a common axis at its upper end to one of said upwardly ranging members, each link being pivotally connected about a common axis at its lower end to one of said side members, and means for selectively securing the seat and back rest to the carrier at a desired position of adjustment relative thereto.

18. In a chair in accordance with claim 17, including means for supporting said carrier for horizontal bodily movement, and means for vertically adjusting said carrier on the last named means.

JOHN C. WI-IITTINGHAM. PROCTOR W. NICHOLS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,292,414 Vernon Aug. 11, 1942 2,367,829 Shinn Jan. 23, 1945 2,383,173 Watter Aug. 21, 1945 2,485,111 Robbins Oct. 18, 1949 2,492,105 Orton Dec. 20, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 853,982 France Dec. 23, 1939 

